{Almost} Instant Chocolate Chia Pudding

Last week turned into blender week. My Vitamix was one of the only kitchen things I refused to pack in a box. For the record, I moved it very carefully in my clutched, loving embrace! Before packing up the kitchen, I made a double batch of this soup so I had some healthy food ready for quick meals. I’ve been relying a bit too much on prepared foods lately. Once we’re moved in and settled I’m going to get back to more home cooked meals. One thing at a time, I suppose!

To energize myself during the endless packing sessions I threw together this chocolate chia pudding. Ok, ok, I made it 4 times in the span of 6 days. I love this stuff. It only requires a few ingredients and it satisfies all those creamy chocolate cravings in a healthy way sweetened only with dates. This pudding reminds me of chocolate cake batter – creamy, chocolaty, with a hint of vanilla. Not only is it tasty, but it’s packed with over 10 grams of fibre and 7 grams of protein per serving, as well as loads of iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Now we’re talking!

Chia pudding is great and all, but the hardest part is waiting for it to chill and set, don’t you think?

Thanks to my chocolate impatience, I came up with a method that gets around this pesky waiting time using almond milk ice cubes. I’ve used coffee ice cubes in smoothies in the past (very tasty) and I thought, why not use almond milk ice cubes in this pudding so I can enjoy it instantly? Yes!

Of course, you do have to plan ahead and freeze the ice cubes in advance (hence the name “almost instant”), but if you keep a tray of almond milk ice cubes in the freezer you’ll be set for any chia pudding craving in the future. If you are like me last week, one tray of ice cubes will set you up for a whole week…ha. I’ll be keeping a tray of almond milk ice cubes in the freezer at all times now. Mark my words!

{Almost} Instant Chocolate Chia Pudding

This chocolate chia pudding is decadent-tasting yet healthy at the same time. Packed with protein, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids this is a pudding you can feel good about! When blended with the almond milk ice cubes it's a treat you can enjoy immediately without waiting for it to chill. The texture is a cross between a smoothie and a pudding. It will thicken up even more if you put it in the fridge for a few hours. I recommend using a high-speed blender for best results since the dates, chia seeds, and ice cubes are challenging to blend super smooth. Adapted from my healthy chocolate chia pudding.

Yield1.5-2 cups (serves 2)

Freeze time8 hours

Prep Time5 Minutes

Cook time0 Minutes

Total Time5 Minutes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

4 large almond milk ice cubes (see note)

1/4 cup chia seeds

5-6 pitted Medjool dates, to taste

2-3.5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (see note)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, to taste

pinch fine grain sea salt or pink Himalayan sea salt

Directions:

Fill an ice cube tray with almond milk. Freeze until solid. You can use leftovers in smoothies or for more pudding in the future!

To make the pudding: Add 3/4 cup almond milk into a high speed blender. Now add the rest of the ingredients, including the almond milk ice cubes.

Blend on the highest speed until super smooth. Enjoy immediately or chill in the fridge where it will thicken up even more.

Notes:

Add the cocoa powder to taste. Some brands will be more pungent than others. 3.5 tablespoons of cocoa powder is great with my brand (camino) however you may need to use less depending on what kind you use. My advice is to add the cocoa powder slowly to taste.

You will want around 12 tablespoons of almond milk ice cubes added to the pudding. For my tray, this equaled 4 large cubes.

You can skip the almond milk ice cubes and simply add a splash more almond milk. Chill in the fridge the old-fashioned way.

If your dates are firm, I suggest soaking them in hot water for at least 30 minutes before you begin. Drain well.

To turn this into a chocolate "frosty" add more ice cubes to make it super icy.

The Oh She Glows Cookbook hits Target

I have another fun retailer announcement to let you know about. The OSG Cookbook hits shelves across US Target stores today! You can find it on their website too. Don’t forget, it’s already in Target stores in Canada too. Be sure to share your recipe creations & book pictures on social media using the hashtag #osgcookbook. Bon Appétit!

Hi there. Can’t wait to make this. I’m thinking that this would fit right into that “sick” day I’m planning to take this Friday! Also, can you tell me where you got those (red and yellow) spoons that you use…so cute. I just love everything about your site, you can actually see and feel the time and effort you put into everything you do…I’m so grateful.

Wow – this looks great! I’ve recently been converted to the chocolate avocado pudding that’s been making the rounds, but it sounds like I’ve another to add to the arsenal. With the amount of fibre and protein, this would actually make a pretty awesome breakfast.

Also, I have had your cookbook for about a month now and have made several recipes, all complete successes. Yesterday, I made the original Glo Bars for the first time, though. My bf took his first bite and said, “holy crap, did you seriously make these? They look and taste like they could be sold at a coffee shop!” After recovering from laughter, I told him about your bakery and such, and, well, I just had to tell you about it and how awesome you are :-) Your recipes are seriously delicious for longtime vegans, new converts, and omnivores alike. Thanks for making our journey to good health and little bit easier and more scrumptious…cheers!

I think it could work with a variety of nut-free milks. Almond milk is very creamy, so I’m not sure if rice milk would be quite as creamy, but I’m sure it will be fine as long as you like the flavour! Enjoy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Every month my daughter and I crave chocolate and I’ve been looking for something chocolaty that was good for us. (Better than the bag of Hersey’s Kisses that is consumed now.) I’m so excited to try this. Unlike other chia seed puddings this looks creamy. Thanks again.
Many blessings!

Ahhhh this sounds wonderful! Glad to see Jessica (above) has already made it, and given it the thumbs up…..as if it wouldnt have got it anyway! After my race last weekend going well at Cherry Blossom, I am definitely focusing on getting the right nutrition for the next month to hit my 1:13 goal in the Brooklyn Half, this will be a great way to satisfy my sweet tooth, without sacrificing nutrition! Thank you :)

Looks delicious, Angela! I’ve been on a huge chocolate kick, so this is perfect! I’m moving soon, too – thanks for the reminder that I need to start planning good meals so I don’t resort to fast-fixes or takeout when I’m faced with all the pressures of moving my entire life in boxes!

Ooooh, I love the idea of freezing almond milk into ice cubes for this! Have you tried freezing almond milk before to keep it fresh longer? Every once in a while, I don’t use a batch of homemade almond milk quickly enough and I have to dump some. What a tragedy. Might try keeping half a batch frozen from now on!

Hi Angela! Love the blog – your recipes are creative and delicious, including this one! However, in my opinion it’s very misleading that this recipe is labeled as “sugar-free.” The whole recipe has 96 grams of sugar (16 grams per date), which means each serving has 48 grams of sugar – very far from sugar-free!

Looks delicious- like all your recipes!! We’ve been cooking 1-2 recipes from your cookbook/week and loving them all! Thank you!
I commented last week (you may have missed it with your move) on Superseeds and my disappointment with the company – i.e. I ordered $120 worth of chia seeds and haven’t heard from them in 2 months, payment processed when I ordered. I think I’ve been scammed! What’s your experience with them been lately? I know you recommended them on your blog for online and cheaper ordering of chia seeds…BUT…????? any recent orders? Your help would be appreciated! Thank you.

Hi Marie, I’m so sorry to hear this! My last order with them was very similar to yours and I had to stop ordering my chia from them. :( SO disappointing. I eventually did get my order after 1.5 months. I don’t know what is going on with the company. I would suggest filing a complaint with the better business bureau!

Hi Angela! This chia pudding looks delicious! I will have to buy a blender just to try that recipe. :) By the way, bought a copy of your book, and I just received it last week. I can’t wait to try your recipes!

Looks delicious!! My hubby just might try chia like this. We came upon the cookbook in B&N on Saturday. Hubby was all excited, “look, it’s the Angela book” =D He’s so funny. He’s used to me saying of course it was fabulous, Angela never lets me down. So he thinks of it as the Angela book. I don’t blame you for carefully transporting the VitaMix. I’ve asked for a Ninja or Vitamix for my bday (in Nov). We’ll see how much he wants to spend…LOL

i haven’t read the entire post yet. i had to scroll down just to tell you that i totally understand the need to not pack up the vitamix. i am the same way. it does not belong in a box. :)
now i’m going to check out the recipe – i love chocolate pudding.

Moving can be insane, just moved in January, it can be insane and also a great time to clear out any clutter ;)

I LOVE this dessert! Mmmm my favorite! I make a version of this ALL the time (great minds crave alike?)! It is a guilt-free dessert that is packed with so much nutrition! Definitely great for a mum-to-be too :)

Hi Angela! My sister and I have been reading your blog for years and this Valentine’s Day she surprised me with a pre-order of your book! I just wanted to let you know that I have quite a few vegan and vegetarian cookbooks and it is by far my favorite. It is such a beautiful book and I have loved all of the recipes I’ve tried so far. We were both excited to try the glow bars and they lived up to the hype!

Thanks Angela for writing the best cookbook ever. I’ve made the overnight oats, donuts, flat bread, creamy curry, chana masala and the lentil and cauliflower soup. All recipes have been wonderful. I ordered from amazon and the book made it to Ireland to us. We love it and baby to be loves it too, congratulations on your pregnancy too.